10 deserving winter appeals to support today

2 Dec 2024

With Christmas fast approaching and so many winter appeals now seeking your support, Julie Thomson, Communications & Marketing Manager at Children in Scotland has pulled together just a small selection of the current campaigns from deserving children’s sector charities. Please use our social media threads to let us know about your campaign and how we can support you.

As the Christmas lights go up, and the Black Friday deals hit our screens and inboxes, it’s easy to forget that not everyone gets to enjoy a winter of magic and sparkle. For many families, the financial pressure of the season is unimaginable, as they balance Christmas expectations and the need for basic necessities. We continue to be in awe of our member and sector network, who are working hard to relieve this pressure on families and give children, in Scotland and beyond, a festive season to remember. Here’s just a few of the great campaigns that have come our way this week.

One Parent Families Scotland: Give a child #ABrighterChristmas

One Parent Families Scotland (OPFS) is a fantastic charity that supports single parents and campaigns for solutions to the disadvantages and barriers that they and their children face. Christmas time can be particularly hard for single-income families, and OPFS’s Christmas appeal aims to make sure families keep warm and children don't go hungry or without presents.

Learn more: Give a child a brighter Christmas

Cyrenians: Festive organic fruit and veg bag

Image of a colourful fruit and vegetables selection, with a christmas wreath and baubles above

It’s the time of year when many of us are Christmas meal planning, and if you’re anything like me, it’s all about the trimmings. Why not make your next fruit and veg order go further by picking up a bag from Cyrenians, whose work tackles the causes and consequences of homelessness in Scotland.

Learn more: Cyrenians Festive Fruit and Veg Bag

Fife Gingerbread: Heat and Eat Appeal

We recently put a spotlight on Fife Gingerbread's winter appeal (click here for more). Fife Gingerbread are another of our wonderful members who are supporting families to build safe, warm and healthy homes this winter. Their annual Heat and Eat campaign supports families in crisis, providing critical support for everything from the cost of energy bills to ingredients for healthy meals – and due to the cost of living crisis, the charity says donations have never been more vital.

Learn more: Heat and Eat Appeal

Dundee Bairns: Help us to help Dundee Bairns this Christmas

This winter, Dundee Bairns is highlighting the stark reality that one in three children in Dundee live below the poverty line – and they need your help to provide the basics to families this festive season. The charity is on a mission to raise £15,000 to provide food vouchers and essential home supplies to families in need across Dundee.

While cash is always king when it comes to charity appeals, there are other ways you can support Dundee Bairns’ work – including the donation of household items, like food, cleaning products, toiletries and bedding.

Learn more: Dundee Bairns

Edinburgh Children's Hospital Charity: Home for Christmas?

Edinburgh Children’s Hospital Charity (ECHC) do fantastic work year-round to support seriously ill children visiting hospital in Edinburgh and beyond. Christmas time is no exception, as they strive to create some magic moments, comfort and distraction for those who find themselves unwell in the festive period.

Learn more: ECHC Charity

Scottish Book Trust: Christmas appeal

A drawing of Eric Cardle's Very Hungry caterpillar with the words 'Sophie is very hungry for stories, but doesn't have any books at home'

The parents and carers among us will be familiar with the work of the Scottish Book Trust and the lovely resources they provide throughout the year to support children and young people’s reading. The Trust is passionate about the positive impact of books on lifelong learning and being a key driver of breaking the poverty cycle.

Their Christmas appeal seeks to raise funds for specialised kits to support families to share stories, songs and rhymes with their children, tactile books for children with additional support needs, and gift books for families who need them most through food banks and community hubs.

Learn more: Scottish Book Trust

Save the Children: Middle East appeal

Save the Children’s Middle East appeal focuses on supporting children in Lebanon and Gaza, as well as other areas affected by the current conflict there, including the West Bank and Syria. Donations to their appeal will be used to purchase school kits, family hygiene packs, food and emergency first aid provisions.

Learn more: Middle East appeal

ALLMEP

ALLMEP is a coalition of over 160 organizations—and hundreds of thousands of Palestinians and Israelis—building cooperation, justice, equality, self-determination, shared society, mutual understanding, and peace among their communities. They seek support for their advocacy work and peace-building programmes via their website.

Learn more: ALLMEP

Sense Scotland: Christmas shop

'Christmas Winterland' cover of Christmas card depicts a winter town scene with a church, park and people skating on a frozen pond.

There are many ways to support this incredible charity this winter, but we have particularly been enjoying the lovely selection of gifts available to purchase on their website. From candles to Christmas cards, purchases will support Sense Scotland’s work with children and young people with communication support needs associated with complex and sensory disabilities.

Learn more: Sense Scotland Christmas Shop

Children in Scotland

And finally, if you can this Christmas, please consider a gift to Children in Scotland. Our wide-ranging work supports, informs and amplifies voices in the children’s sector, allowing children across the country to flourish and meet their potential. We need your support to continue to tackle important topics like child poverty, mental health, additional support for learning, and other children’s rights issues. We would be incredibly grateful for any donations this winter on our Give As You Live page.

Donate now

About the Author

Julie Thomson is Communications & Marketing Manager at Children in Scotland.

Is hybrid really working for you?

26 Sep 2024

It’s hard to believe that it was over four years ago that working from home became the new norm for so many. As lots of us continue to mix workplace and home working, our Head of Services Billy Anderson is inviting members to engage in some ‘guilt-free’ learning on the topic of hybrid working.

With a keen interest in staff support and wellbeing, Billy’s short session will provide a space to develop new person-centred tools and reflect honestly together. Ahead of the training, Billy shares some of his own reflections on the positives and frustrations, wins and worries of hybrid working.

My positives:

Not as much travel and a higher level of trust and flexibility over workload and how this is managed. An increased ability to connect with people wherever they are and whenever you can. No need to be “onsite” five days a week…can work from anywhere!

My frustrations:

An increased ability to connect with people wherever they are and whenever you can – this can lead to being available all of the time and lining up back-to-back meetings that fill the blanks in your diary! Separation between workday and home life.

The barriers:

The technology can be a barrier towards building effective relationships…that ability to just put a hand on a shoulder in times of need. Public transport can be both a frustration and a barrier when not operating to schedule!

My worries:

Is it diminishing my communication abilities? Has it made my existing anxieties worse? For all of the skills I have gained, have I also lost some?

The wins:

I see my family more, I can build teams of people from wider geography to achieve the aims of services, I can keep on top of my family washing pile!

My training session will support people with a range of experiences of hybrid working to share and talk about how things are going. We will sometimes talk about our things in short bursts with colleagues but everyone has different opinions. Your opinion isn’t right or wrong, but I often come away from these chats with a sense of “am I doing this right? I wonder how it’s working in other places?” It is hoped that by coming together and focussing on guilt free learning from each other that we can stay on a track that works for us, adopt or adapt some elements or just even take the time to understand how we got here and how we are doing!

Billy has shared some of his own reflections but would love to hear what you think! Join our free member event on 20 November, 10-11.30am, to discuss the issue further. Click here to register your free place.

Let's talk hybrid working

Join Billy's free member training reflecting on hybrid working on Wednesday 20 November, 10am-11.30am

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Issue 6 (autumn 2024)

Published September 2024

Between external pressures, money worries and political frustrations, we know that our vibrant network of members are facing more challenges than ever before – and yet they never stop trying to make our country a better place for children and young people to grow up.

Our sixth issue of Insight celebrates the hard work, determination and resilience shown by the third sector, with interviews, features and commentary covering everything from the momentous milestone of UNCRC incorporation to projects which are helping young people find their voice.

Alongside a four-page Q&A with Children and Young People’s Commissioner Scotland Nicola Killean, who discusses priorities for her time in post, readers will find an interview with The Yard’s CEO Celine Sinclair, information on inspiring participation projects, and a thoughtful piece on redefining “challenging” behaviour from Billy Anderson, Head of Services at Children in Scotland.

Voices Forum:

Towards 2026: Developing Children in Scotland’s next Manifesto

Wednesday 23 October 2024, 10am-12pm, online

The next meeting of the Voices Forum will discuss initial ideas for Children in Scotland's Manifesto 2026–2031 for the next Scottish Parliament. Members will have an opportunity to reflect on our current Manifesto and share their views and ideas about key priorities for our upcoming Manifesto.

Overview of session:

We are pleased to invite members of Children in Scotland to our next Voices Forum.

The meeting of the Voices Forum will be hosted our by Head of Policy, Projects and Participation, David Mackay, who will lead a discussion on the changes to policy and legislation members want to see included in the Children in Scotland Manifesto 2026-2031.

Our current Manifesto (2021-2026) outlined 10 themes and 33 calls to action for the Scottish Government to improve outcomes for children, young people and their families. In developing the Manifesto, we consulted members as experts in policy and service delivery to understand what key changes should inform Children in Scotland’s advocacy and influencing work over the parliamentary term.

We are now starting early conversations on the next Manifesto for the upcoming Scottish Parliament Election in 2026. The Voices Forum will provide an opportunity for members to feed into early-stage discussions around Manifesto development and explore members’ ideas for key policy and legislative changes, drawing on evidence from their work. The event will also provide an opportunity to reflect on our current Manifesto, including the format, goals and overall structure to inform our approach for the 2026-2031 Manifesto.

The Voices Forum meeting will take place on Zoom and is open to all Children in Scotland members. Spaces are free but booking is required.

If you or colleagues are interested in attending, please contact Policy, Projects and Participation Officer, David Yule, to reserve your place via dyule@childreninscotland.org.uk

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An accessible new learning portal for the children’s sector launches

18 Mar 2024

An accessible new online learning portal which aims to support practitioners working across children’s services in Scotland launches today (Monday 18 March 2024).

The portal was developed by The Open University (OU) in Scotland in partnership with Children in Scotland and sees the two organisations combining their shared expertise in education to support the upskilling of the children’s sector and help improve the lives of children and young people across Scotland.

Offering a wide range of free courses, the portal has been curated to help meet practitioners’ learning needs. Courses are focused in key skill areas including education in the early years, additional support needs and mental health and wellbeing. As well as professional development specific to children’s services, there are also courses in technology, leadership and equality, diversity and inclusion.

The courses have also been chosen to complement Children in Scotland’s comprehensive Learning Programme which includes in-person conferences and residentials, professional diplomas and online webinars (click here for more).

As a globally recognised leader in distanced learning, OU’s online resources offer practitioners the upmost flexibility meaning that each course can be started, paused and restarted again at any-time. Courses range from two to 24 hours and learning can be done in a place most convenient to students.

Simon Massey, Head of Engagement and Learning, Children in Scotland

“From today, we are delighted to invite practitioners to start exploring this new learning portal specifically created for the children’s sector. It has been fantastic working with the team at The Open University to create this exciting new tool. At Children in Scotland, we are committed to developing the children’s sector workforce and, listening to our members and partners, we know that often the time they can commit to professional development is limited. With the flexibility of the courses in this portal, it offers a high-quality and accessible learning tool for many people working across the sector. We hope you enjoy delving into the topics.”

Page Munro, Partnerships Manager, The Open University

“I’m delighted to share our new curated learning portal for practitioners working with children and young people. The Open University and Children in Scotland have worked together to create a fantastic resource for people working across the sector who are looking to gain new skills in a wide range of relevant areas.

With a wide range of free Open University courses available, there will be something for everyone, no matter where you are in your career. The courses are delivered entirely online and can be completed flexibly in your own time, so they’re perfect for helping you upskill alongside your other work and life commitments.

You’ll be able to access courses in key subject areas like mental health, early years, additional support needs, leadership and much more. We really hope you’ll find the portal a valuable resource for helping you develop in your career.”

Click here to start exploring the new learning portal

Our new learning portal with OU

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Children in Scotland's Annual Conference

Find out more about our flagship event at Murrayfield Stadium, Edinburgh, on 29 & 30 May 2024.

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Enquire

Find out more about Enquire, the national advice and information service for additional support for learning

Visit the website

Reach

The website for young people offers advice and support on accessing their rights

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Image shows the cover of issue 5 of Insight, the magazine for members of Children in Scotland. The colourful illustration image depicts three young people held up by a giant hand, while a spotlight shines down from above

Issue 5 (autumn 2023)

Published November 2023

Inspired by our contributors, the theme of this fifth issue of 'Insight' is “young voices” with many articles and features exploring the importance of listening to young Scots to improve our work and their lives.

In our four-page Changemakers interview, for example, best-selling author, Mikaela Loach, shares her journey from teen activist to fighting for climate justice on a world stage, and discusses why young people are vital to the environmental movement. The 25-year-old explained: “When it comes to climate crisis, young voices in particular are so important. We are one of the most impacted groups in this world, and we are going to be impacted disproportionately by this crisis. It’s so important that we do speak out, and realise that so many of the liberties and freedoms that we have now are because other people chose to be brave.”

Also within Changemakers, Gregory Metcalfe, from Children’s Parliament, explores a special project which is placing children’s views at the forefront of AI implementation in Scotland, while in the Perspectives section, Henry Mathias, Head of Professional Standards and Practice at The Care Inspectorate, discusses the potential of the Bairns’ Hoose model, which recovery, support and justice come together under one roof.

Issue 1 (Autumn 2021)

Published November 2021.

After months in the making we are delighted to publish the first edition of Insight, the new bi-annual publication for members of Children in Scotland.

We are passionate about providing space for reflection, instigating conversation and sharing good practice. With this in mind, Insight brings together voices and ideas from the people and projects driving change across the children's sector.

It communicates the shared ambition for what we can do to give all children in Scotland an equal chance to flourish.

Included in our launch issue:

An interview with MSP Pam Duncan-Glancy about her hopes for the Transitions Bill, which aims to provide more support for young people after they leave school
Dr Hyab Yohannes on the plight of refugee families
SallyAnn Kelly responding to the announcement of the Whole Family Wellbeing Fund
Graham Goulden urging investment in quality relationships with boys to ensure they grow up to be respectful men
Nourish Scotland’s Stephanie Mander analysing the Good Food Nation Bill.

We also showcase some incredible work from Illustration students at Edinburgh College of Art and profile the work of portrait and documentary photographer, Margaret Mitchell.

Insight is a member benefit, with copies included as part of full membership with Children in Scotland. A digital edition can also be accessed via the Member area (log in required).

Not a member? Click here for more information about membership

Non-members are also invited to subscribe for just £10 per year. Click here to start a digital subscription

Categories: Insight, Resource Tags: Insight, Membership

Issue 2 (Summer 2022)

Published May 2022

As anyone who works to support children and families in Scotland knows, spinning plates to balance the demands of service delivery with long-term planning never stops. But, as many of the contributors to this edition point out, we also need an opportunity to pause and reassess our goals.

As much of the world feels in turmoil, a new-found sense of community and commitment to partnership working has emerged over the last two years. This edition of Insight is informed by that sense of solidarity and our shared desire to keep children, young people and families at the heart of what we do.

In this issue:

We interview Roslyn Neely, Chief Executive of Edinburgh Children's Hospital Charity who tells us more about supporting children and young people in their healthcare journey
Angela Morgan urges for us to challenge the status quo for pupils with additional support needs
Professor Laura Lundy asks if Scotland can deliver on the promises of the UNCRC
Bruce Adamson, Children and Young People's Commissioner Scotland reflects on the proposed reforms to the Human Rights Act

We are also delighted to continue our partnership with the Edinburgh College of Art, showcasing work from students on the Postgraduate Illustration course.

Insight is a member benefit, with copies included as part of full membership with Children in Scotland. A digital edition can also be accessed via the Member area (log in required).

Not a member?
Click here for more information about membership

Non-members are also invited to subscribe for just £10 per year.
Click here to find out more about a digital subscription

Categories: Insight, Resource Tags: Insight, Membership

Graphic. Front cover of magazine which has been divided into different sized boxes, each featuring a different picture relating to content. Pictiures include building blocks, a house, a tall slide, an empty plate and a butterfly. The top left box includes the three cover lines. 1. Lifetime guarantee, Kenny Murray on equality, love and support for Care Experienced people. 2. The only way is up, Could extending the school starting age be a new chance for young people? 3. Expert panels, how the power of comics can unlock literacy.

Issue 3 (Winter 2022)

Published November 2022.

As we approach the end of the year, the conversation continues around how to mitigate the cost-of-living crisis that is impacting so many families. But as we look to address these new, and growing, challenges we must be mindful not to forget about the old ones.

This latest edition considers some of the challenges facing our most disadvantaged communities. From addressing stigma and campaigning for equality for those who are Care Experienced, to those facing homelessness or dealing with childhood trauma and disadvantage, this issue discusses how we can make progress on addressing some of our society’s most complex challenges.

In this issue:

We interview Kenny Murray, Who Cares? Scotland’s Director of Influence and Engagement about why lifelong support for Care Experienced people is vital, and how accountability is key
Magic Torch Comics highlight the power of comics in unlocking literacy
Dr Lynn McNair explores the opportunity of a later school starting age in Scotland
Alison Watson explains why investing in long-term housing security will help thousands of children and families
Amy Woodhouse reflects on decades of mental health policies
Independent Living Fund Scotland share how the Transition Fund is creating new opportunities for young disabled people

We are also delighted to continue our partnership with the Edinburgh College of Art, showcasing work from students on the Postgraduate Illustration course.

Insight is a member benefit, with copies included as part of full membership with Children in Scotland. A digital edition can also be accessed via the Member area (log in required).

Not a member?
Click here for more information about membership

Non-members are also invited to subscribe for just £10 per year.
Click here to find out more about a digital subscription

Categories: Insight, Resource Tags: Insight, Membership

Image shows the cover of issue 4 of Inight magazine, the magazine for members of Children in Scotland. Cover shows colourful illustration image of members from a variety of professions.

Issue 4 (Summer 2023)

Published April 2023

In this edition, we are delighted to extend our Changemakers section to include an interview between our children and young people’s advisory group, Changing our World, and the outgoing Children and Young People’s Commissioner Scotland, Bruce Adamson. Within that conversation, Bruce talks about “creating an amazing culture of children as human rights defenders” and this message of celebrating positive change led by children and young people is carried across our interviews in this edition.
Within ‘Learning & Projects’, we focus on support for young people’s mental health and Children in Scotland’s involvement in the Suicide Prevention Strategy & Action Plan, while the contributors to our ‘Perspectives’ section share views on the legislation we need to see now to improve the lives of children, young people and families in Scotland.

In this issue:

We interview Dr Khadija Mohammed, Associate Dean for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion at the University of the West of Scotland, former primary school teacher, and Chair of the Scottish Government’s Anti-Racism in Education Programme about the importance of embedding a meaningful understanding of racism across the curriculum and beyond
Our children and young people’s advisory group, Changing our World, interviews Bruce Adamson, Children and Young People’s Commissioner Scotland about the highs and lows of the job as he prepares to leave office
We talk about levelling the playing field in the performing arts with theatre-maker Rachel-Jane Morrison
Amy Woodhouse discusses the complicated legacy of Nicola Sturgeon and her record on improving the lives of children and families
Dr Alison Scott explores approaches to supporting mothers whose children have been removed into care
Raza Sadiq challenges the Illegal Migration Bill as an assault on human rights.

We are also delighted to continue our partnership with the Illustration department at Edinburgh College of Art, showcasing work from students on the MA Postgraduate programme.

Insight is a members’ benefit, with copies included as part of full membership with Children in Scotland. A digital edition can also be accessed via the Member area (log in required).

Not a member?

Click here for more information about membership

Non-members are also invited to subscribe for just £10 per year.

To find out more about a digital subscription, email Alice: ahinds@childreninscotland.org.uk